Electric incandescent lamp.



. r. MYERS.

ELECTRIC INCANDESCENT LAMP.

(Aypliction filed Sept. 26, 1899.)

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ATTORNEYS l iis) N.

mcroN, D. c

"OUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDEROK MYERS, OE NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSTGNOR TO ALBERT WV. l/V. MILLER, OF SOUTH ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRIC INCANDESCENT LAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,687, dated October 16, 1900.

Application filed September 26, 1899. Serial No. 731,706. (No model.)

To al?, whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK MYERS, of the borough of Manhattan, New York city, New York, have invented certain new and useful Imw'ovemenls in Electric Incandescent Lamps, of which the following is a speciiication.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an electric incandescent lamp with the capacity of having its lament removed or replaced by the opening of the base or base end of the lamp-globe.

To this end the invention consists iu certain features of construction hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is n a central longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, through a lamp constructed in accord.

ance with my invention; Fig. 2, a plan view of a glass or porcelain button seated in the neck of the lamp and supporting the conductors to which the terminals of the lilaments are attached; Fig. 3, a section therethrough, showing one of said conductors in the form of a clamp or tweezers to grip the terminal of the filament. Fig. 4: shows a slotted metal sleeve to be located within the lamp neck, for a purpose hereinafter described. Fig. 5 shows a fiat blank which is to be shaped and threaded to form the sleeve surrounding the neck of the lamp and forming one terminal thereof. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the upper part of the lamp shown in Fig. l. Fig. 7 illustratesa modified construction of the lamp.

A is the ordinary lamp-globe, whose neck is formed with two interior annular shoulders or seats a a.

A B is a glass, porcelain, or vitreous button having a slot bin its edge and two apertures b' and h2. The conductors O C, which carry the terminals of the filament, may each be formed of asingle piece of spring metal bent at its middle to form a head c. The -two legs of this clamping-conductor are passed through an aperture in the button B, so thatthe head C rests upon the upper face of the button. The branches or legs ol' the lamp are then expanded locally, so as to form a shoulder c at the inner face of the button, whereby the clamp is firmly secured in and to the button.

A short platinum rod D, passing through the wall of the neck of the lamp and fused therein, projects on both sides of the wall and may be initially turned u p, as indicated in dotted lines, and when the button B is placed in position upon the shoulder a the slot b in the button admits its passage past the rod D,

after which this conductor may be turned.

down and soldered or otherwise removably secured to the head c of the condnoting-clamp. Where the rod D passes through the glass wall of the neck, a hub or boss CZ may be formed on the neck to afford greater strength and increase the area of contact between the rod and the glass.

The threaded sleeve E enveloping the neck of the lamp may be stamped out of sheet metal, as shown in Fig. 5, and be then shaped and threaded in any suitable way to bring it to the form shown in Figs. l and 6. The slots e in its opposite sides permit of its being expanded radiallyin placing it in position. The outer end of the conductor D passes through one of the slots and may be turnedover upon and soldered or otherwise electrically connected to the sleeve. l

The neck of the lamp in Fig. l is hermetically closed by a concavo-conveX metal disk E, whose edge is enveloped by an elastic annular washer f, which also lies against the upper and lower faces of the disk adjacent to its edge. The diameter of the disk and thick ness of the washer are such that when they are pressed into the mout-h of the neck and seated upon the shoulder ct the washer is compressed between the neck and the edge of the disk and forms an air-tight joint, andthe part of the washer upon the lower face of the disk is compressed between the disk and the shoul. der a in the neck. Agood grade of rubber is suitable for the washers, although other inaterials maybe used, orrubber combined with other material, as graphite, maybe employed.

The sleeve E being placed over the neck of the lamp and it and the disk j pressed down into position, the sleeve may be secured by a wire band e', embracing the lower concaved end of the sleeve and seating and clamping it in the annular groove e2, formed in the globe under the shoulder a'. The annular edge e3 of the central opening in the top of the sleeve is turned down and bears upon the portion of the washerf lying against tile npper face ofthe disk, compressing the washer and further tending to insure the integrity of the air-tight joint. rIhe crown or highest point F in this construction forms theremaining terminal of the lamp, located, as is usual, at the end of the base. A conductor G within the lamp-neck is soldered orotherwise secured to it and is given the form of a coiled spring, whose lowerend removably embraces the head c of the remaining conductor G, to which the filament is attached. I may flatten this head C and attach to the end of the conductor G a fiat piece of metal that will bear against the head c firmly when the disk If is pressed den n into position. 'lhe branches of the respective clalnps C C press firmly against each other, and the terminals of the filament may be inserted between them and will be securely held Imay place upon the ends of the filament before their insertion into the clamps a little of such cement as is commonly used in the connection of filaments to the ordinary leading-in wires.

It will be observed that the slots c in the sleeve are shown as extending substantially throughtnit the length of' the sleeve, and they should be of such extent lengthwise as to permit the radial expansion of the sleeve in putting it into position. 'lhis should be so, because I aim to have the sleeve closely fit the neck at the top and bottom of the sleeve or throughout the length of the neck, should it be so shaped. The sleeve near its lower edge is contracted and is of less diameter than elsewhere and is of such diameter at its lower edge that when the sleeve is in its normal symmetrical shape it closely fits the neck below the annular shoulder d'. The contracted lower end of the sleeve is also coneaved annularly, and this is so because such is the shape of the neck below the fiange a', and whatever the shape of the neck at this point it is desirable that the shape of the sleeve conform to it and closely embrace it. When, therefore, the binding-wire or other device is applied at this point of the sleeve,itis clamped firmly to the neck and the shape ofthe sleeve is not distorted. The capacity of the sleeve for radial expansion throughout a considerable part of its length, if not throughout its entire length, permits of its lower end being contracted for the purpose described` IVith `the construction described or any equivalent per face bears against the washer, not onlyl further holding the sleeve against turning movement, but, as already stated, assisting the hermetic sealing of the lamp-globe. For these reasons I do not rely upon the conductor D, occupying one of the slots c in the sleeve, to prevent turning movement of the sleeve or its endwise withdrawal from the neck. I would prefer not to depend upon the conductor for this purpose, as a lateral strain thereon, due to a turning movement of' the sleeve, might. damage or rupture its seal in the side of the neck and, moreover, might. impair the integrity of the electrical connection between the conductor and sleeve.

Then this lamp is to he repaired, it is only necessary to cut and remove the wire band, fuse the solder (if solder be used) connecting the threaded sleeve, and then remove the sleeve. The disk F, with the attached conductor G, may then be removed, and after the disconnection of the conductor D from the end of the head c the button l and attached parts maybe removed. A new filament may then be connected with the conductors C C, the button replaced, the conductor D reattached to the conductor C, and the neck of the lamp be lagain sealed by replacing the disk and washer. The threaded conductingsleeve may then be replaced and properly connected to the conductor D, after which the lower end of the globe maybe opened and resealed after the lamp has been exhausted. 'lhis operation of repairing or renewing the filaments maybe readily and economically performed many times, and the lamp will in no way show that it is a repaired or renewed lamp.

So far as I am aware I am the first to employ a sleeve that may be slipped into place, it and the sealing-washer and disk pressed into position, and the sleeve then detachably clamped to firmly hold the disk in its place. The features of construction by which I effect this result', as well as other details of construction herein set forth, might of course be varied without departing from the principles of my invention.

In Fig. 7 the construction is the same as that above described except that a glass disk O is used for hermetically closing the neck of the globe. The wire Gr passes tl'irough and is fused in the disk, its upper end being soldered or otherwise attached to a contact terminal O, seated in the depression in the outer face of the disk and secured by cement. When the parts of the lamp are assembled and before the sleeve is placed over the neck, the edge of the neck is heated and fused to the disk. To repair or renew the lamp the sleeve is removed and the neck severed, say, on the line X X, Fig. 7. A new filament may then be placed in the lamp and the neck reunited by fusion. To facilitate the uniting of the severed parts of the neck, I may employ the sleeve H, which may occupy the interior of the neck and serve as a guide for bringing the severed edges of the neck accurately together and holding them in proper relation While they are being re-fused and also as a gage to insure that the neck shall be of proper length when its parts are reunited. This sleeve, as shown, is slotted throughout IOS IIO

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its entire length, so as to straddle the conductor D and also allow of expansion and contraction circumferentially.

Another feature of my invention consists in an organization whereby the globe may be exhausted and closed hermetically without closing the outlet by fusion. l form an annular collar or tube P at the bulbous end of the lamp and secure around it by cement, so as to form an air-tight joint, a threaded collar P. A washer of rubber or other suitable material closes the outlet P, being formed with a fiat head Q, that overlies the end thereof, and a stem Q, that projects into the outlet. The outer face of the flat head of the washer is formed with one or more small knobs q. An internally-threaded cap R, having an aperture 7" in its head, is screwed onto the collar P. A flexible exhausting tube is stretched over the cap, which is loosened, and the lamp exhausted in the usual way, the knobs q preventing the face of the washer from closing the aperture r against the suction of the exhaust-pump. When the lamp is exhausted, the cap maybe screwed up while the tube is still attached to it and the fiat head of the washer firmly compressed to hermetically close the opening P.

l claim as my inventionl. The combination with the globe of an incandescent electric lamp having a neck with an annular enlargement at or near its base end forming an annular seat and an annular groove of less diametercontiguous to the bulbons part of the globe, of a disk seated in said annular seat and hermetically closing the lamp and a radially-expansible threaded metallic sleeve contracted at its lower end to tit the said annular portion of the globe adjacent. to the bulbous part thereof, and means for detachably securing the sleeve to the lamp` substantially and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with the globe of an incandescent electric lamp having an annular enlargement at or near its base end forming an internal annular seat, of a disk with a washer embracing its edge and lying against the upper and lower faces thereof adjacent to the edge seated in said annular seat, a radially-eXpansible threaded metallic sleeve contracted at its lower end, the normal diameter thereof at its upper end being such as to closelyembrace said annularenlargement and the normal diameter at its lower end being such as to embrace a part of the bulb of corresponding dimensions which sleeve is detachably secured to the neck and serves to clamp said disk in the annular seat in the neck, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination with the globe of an incandescent electric lamp, of a closing-washer applied to the open end of the neck thereof, a closing-disk bearing upon the washer, a radially-expansible metallic sleeve adapted to be slipped endwis'e over the neck without rotation and to be pressed down to clamp the disk and means applied to the sleeve below its upper end Vl'or detachably clamping it in posi tion, substantially as and for the purpose set. forth.

ft. The combination with the globe of an incandescent. electric lamp having` an annular sleeve-retaining portion contiguous to the bulbous part of the globe, of a disk and washer hermetically closing the open base end of the neck and a threaded metallic sleeve enveloping the neck and clamping the disk in position and having at its lower end a portion to engage the sleeve-retaining portion of the bulb, and means for detachablysecuring such lower end of the sleeve to such part of the bulb, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination of an electric incandescent lamp-globe of the longitudinally-slotted metallic sleeve, and the conductor fused in the side of the neck of the lamp, extending into the slot ol the sleeve and electrically connected with the sleeve opposite or adjacent to the point where it passes through the neck.

G. The combination with the globe of an electric incandescent lamp havingashoulder, d', within the neck thereof, of a button ol insulating material carrying conductors to which the terminals of the filaments are connected and having exposed heads or ends at the top ofthe button, adisk closing hermetically the end of the neck and carrying a conductor, which is detachably electrically connected at its inner end to one of the ends of the conductor exposed at the top of the button and at its outer end is connected to a conductor forming one terminal of the lamp, another conductor extending through and fused in the neck cf the lamp and electrically connected to the end of the remaining conductor exposed at the top of the button, and the threaded metallic sleeve surrounding the neck of the lamp and to which the conductor fused in the neck thereof is electrically connected.

7. The combination with the globe of an electric incandescent lamp having an annular shoulder within the neck thereof, of a button of non-conducting material seated on said shoulder and carrying conductors to the lower ends of which the terminals of the filament are connected, and the upper ends of which are exposed at the top of the button, a disk hermetically closing the neck of the lamp and carrying a conductor, one end of which bears against. one of the conductors exposed at the top of the button and the other end of which is' attached to an externally-exposed metallic part constituting one terminal of the lamp, a conductor passing through and fused in the side of the neck of the lamp and having its inner end electrically connected to the other conductor exposed at the top of the button, a detachable threaded metallic sleeve surround- IOO IIO

ing the neck of the lamp to which the other end of the conductor fused in the neck of the lamp is electrically connected.

S. The combination with the globe of an electric incandescent lamp of a detachable threaded metallic sleeve surrounding` the neck thereof so that the neck of the lamp may be cut for the renewal of the filament, and a sleeve of suitable material located within the neck of the lamp and serving as a guide and support when the edges of the severed neck are reunited by fusion.

9. An electric incandescent lamp comprising a globe with a neck, a metallic sleeve enveloping the neck, a button of insulating material seated within the neck adjacent to its bulbous portion, conductors carried by this button to which the terminals of the filament are connected, and detachably connected to said conductors two other conductors, one passing through the Wall of the lamp and electrically connected to the metallic sleeve, and the other also passing through the wall of the lamp and electrically connected to an external contact at the base end of the lamp.

lO. An electric incandescent lamp comprising a globe with a neck, a metallic sleeve enveloping the neck, a button of insulating` material seated within the neck adjacent to its bulbous portion, conductors carried by this button to which the terminals of the filament are connected, and detachably connected to said conductors two other conductors, one passing through the glass side wall of the neck of the lamp and electrically connected to the metallic sleeve, and detachably connected to one of said first-named conductors, and the other also passing through the Wall of the lam p and electrically connected to an external contact at the base end of the lamp and to the other of said rst-nanied conductors.

ll. The combination with the globe of an electric incandescent lamp, of a button located within the neck thereof and adjacent to its bulbous portion,conductors carried by this button and each formed as a clamp or tweezers to grasp the terminals of the filament, and other conductors passing through the walls ofthe lamp,detachably electrically conneet-ed with the first-named conductors, and one of which is electrically connected with an external contact at the end of the lamp forming one terminal thereof and the other of which is electrically connected to a metallic threaded sleeve enveloping the neck of the lamp and detachably connected therewith.

l2. The combination with the globe of an electric incandescent lamp, of a button of insulating material seated in the neck thereof adjacent to its bulbous portion, two conductors carried by this button to the lower ends of which the terminals of the (ilament are connected, and the upper ends of which are exposed at the top of the button,a metallic sleeve to which one of said conductors is electrically connected by a conductor passing through the Wall of the lamp, and another conductor electrically connected to the other lanip-ter minal and formed as a spring that bears upon the second of the first-named conductors and holds the button in place,the metal sleeve being detachably connected with the neck of the lamp to permit of its removal so that the neck of the lamp may be severed and reunited by fusion after the replacement of the Iilament.

13. The combination with the globe of an incandescent electric lamp, of a closing-washer applied to the open end of the neck thereof, a closing-disk bearing upon the washer, a nietallic sleeve adapted to be slipped endwise over the neck Without rotation and to be pressed down to clamp the disk and means applied to the sleeve below its upper end for detachably clamping it in position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my naine.

FREDERICK MYERS. lVitnesses:

EDWARD C. DAVIDSON, FRED G. RING. 

